Phoenix is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,708 at the 2020 census. It is located approximately 19 miles south of the Chicago Loop in the Chicago area. The development of Phoenix is closely tied to its larger neighbor, Harvey. Harvey was established as an industrial city with no saloons. Many of its early factories were locate…Phoenix is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,708 at the 2020 census. It is located approximately 19 miles south of the Chicago Loop in the Chicago area. The development of Phoenix is closely tied to its larger neighbor, Harvey. Harvey was established as an industrial city with no saloons. Many of its early factories were located between the Illinois Central Railroad and Harvey's eastern boundary at Halsted Street. One local businessman, William McLatchy, owned a large tract of land in an unincorporated area outside of Harvey. Soon, five saloons had opened in the area and a small housing subdivision known as Phenix Park was constructed during the 1890s. City leaders in Harvey, seeing businesses just outside their boundaries selling alcohol to local workers, sought to annex Phenix Park and render it "dry" or free of alcohol-related establishments. The residents of Phenix Park wanted to retain local control of their affairs as an independent village. On August 29, 1900, an election was held to determine the future status of the area. A total of 56 votes were cast with 38 voting in favor of incorporation and 18 against. Despite legal challenges from Harvey, the result was upheld.
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